Honolulu Attractions
As the state capital, largest city in Hawaii and home to Waikiki, Honolulu has more attractions than can be seen in one vacation. Outside of Honolulu you will find even more attractions, easily accessed by rental car, tour bus or the island's public transportation. If you stay in Honolulu, the Waikiki Trolley is all you will need to see some of Hawaii's top attractions.
The following attractions are among the most popular on Oahu, some in all of Hawaii, and they are on my "Top 5" list of recommendations.
Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor
Honoring the lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, the memorial is the most visited of all of Hawaii's attractions. Before you are taken by boat to the memorial itself (where oil continues to bubble to the surface from the sunken ship), you are shown a 23-minute documentary. You can also tour the battleship USS Missouri where the U.S. and Japan signed their treaty.
'Iolani Palace
The only royal palace on American soil, 'Iolani was built in 1882, commissioned by King David Kalakaua (an avid patron of the arts). It is grand in architecture and ambiance and rich in history. The last monarch to rule from the palace was Queen Lili' uokalani, who wrote "Aloha 'Oe," her farewell to the Hawaiian Kingdom when she imprisoned during the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom. The best day to tour 'Iolani Palace is Friday because on most Friday evenings the Royal Hawaiian Band gives free performances on the grounds.
http://www.iolanipalace.org/
Waikiki Aquarium
Here you can see more than 420 of the Pacific Ocean's tropical marine species. They also host a summer Hawaiian music concert series and other events. A truly spectacular tourist attraction - A must see!
http://www.waquarium.org/
The Bishop Museum
If you like learning about different cultures, history and/or natural science, don't skip The Bishop Museum! The exhibits run the time line from the birth of the islands to modern day - there's even a Hawaii in Hollywood exhibit here. The Museum has one of the largest cultural and natural collections in the world, "Please touch" and living history exhibits, and a Science Adventure Center with a walk-in volcano and a 30,000 gallon fish tank.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Located outside of Honolulu but Hawaii's number one paid attraction, The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a fun place to spend the day and evening. They have Waikiki hotel shuttles too. Located on the Windward (East) Side near the North Shore of Oahu, this world famous cultural theme park, has re-created native villages where you walk through and learn about the various islands of Polynesia from the village "natives." You can also do island crafts and participate in other hands-on activities. The nighttime Polynesian extravaganza there is fabulous and is performed in the evening by a very talented cast of over 100 students from the university that runs PCC. They also have a great luau.
Experience the fascinating Attractions of Honolulu in happiness and health!
